Lebanon County notebook: Circle these dates this winter

Freddy Hess, left, and the Annville-Cleona boys basketball team will have some key games this year against Lancaster Catholic and Lebanon Catholic. (PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News)

In general, coaches do not want their players focusing on any game except the next one. Better to concentrate on today's contest and worry about your school's rival when that game comes around.

But for fans, and sportswriters, it might be wise to circle a few dates on the Lebanon County winter sports schedule in advance.

BOYS' BASKETBALLDec. 16th – Winter in Lebanon County would not be complete without the on-the-court version of the Cedar Bowl, which is at Lebanon High this year.

Jan. 6th – Annville-Cleona travels to Lancaster Catholic to take on the perennial Lancaster-Lebanon League Section IV favorites. The Dutchmen will have already played nine games by then, so they should be adjusted to first-year head coach Justin Edwards when they take their first shot at the Crusaders. The result of this game will determine if Jan. 31st, the day these team meet in Annville, should be circled as well.

GIRLS' BASKETBALLDec. 15th – The girls' side of the Lebanon-Cedar Crest rivalry could be particularly interesting this year with both teams featuring new head coaches. Ben Brewer, a long-time assistant under previous coach Carlos Sanchez, leads the Cedars while Jim Donmoyer is on the bench for the host Falcons. A win in this rivalry will be a nice early win for either team and coach.

Jan. 6th – Northern Lebanon looks like it could make some noise in L-L III, but its first chance to prove it is when the Vikings travel to Manheim Central.

BOYS' AND GIRLS' BASKETBALLJan. 13th and Feb. 6th – It is two for the price of one on these dates, with Lebanon Catholic and Annville-Cleona having boys-girls doubleheaders. The Beavers host on Jan. 13th and the Dutchmen host on Feb. 6th. Although there are other doubleheaders in the county this year, these are the only ones between two Lebanon County schools.

WRESTLINGJan. 20th and 21st – Unlike most sports, wrestling has its L-L championship in the middle of the season, so Lebanon County's best will heading to Conestoga Valley this weekend.

Jan. 26th – Even though the L-L tournament will be history by this date, the L-L III title is unlikely to be settled until A-C and Elco face off on the mat in Annville.